Topic: Locker Questions

[BOOGIE444]

Have you thought about a detroit true trac front and rear?  They work really nice offroad, and for daily driving they cant be beat.

[jfrabat]

That's another option...  How does it perform in mud, which is what I will see mostly?

[Jeffy]

Have you thought about a detroit true trac front and rear?  They work really nice offroad, and for daily driving they cant be beat.

Unless you really need lockers. 

[jfrabat]

Unless you really need lockers. 

So what would your advice be, Jeffy?  I was thinking of an automatic locker up front and a selectable locker on back (OX most likely), but what would you recommend?  I would love to go OX front and back, but then again, the OX is a los more $$$...  And ARB, although I like them, are beyond my budget...

Felipe

[garydubf]

put a limited slip up front while you save money!

[jfrabat]

So, which brand would you guys recommend?  Detroit True Trac?

[neale_rs]

I test drove Ram Charger with true tracs front and rear and there where no noticeable steering issues so I think putting a True Trac in front is a solid recommendation.  Maybe start with that and then put an OX in the rear (cheaper than an ARB).

I will probably leave my YJ open in front and go with OX or ARB in back in about a year.

[Jeffy]

So what would your advice be, Jeffy?  I was thinking of an automatic locker up front and a selectable locker on back (OX most likely), but what would you recommend?  I would love to go OX front and back, but then again, the OX is a los more $$$...  And ARB, although I like them, are beyond my budget...

Felipe

If you're going to be taking this to S. America, keep it simple.

I'd go with a LockRight up front and a Detroit in the rear.

[aw12345]

In talking with my Russian buddy, it seems that his advice would be something like a detroit true trac in the rear and good tires works better than anything on muddy trails. A regular detroit will push you straight in the mud overiding the steering. Detroits are great for anything but slick muddy trails

[Bounty Hunter]

In talking with my Russian buddy, it seems that his advice would be something like a detroit true trac in the rear and good tires works better than anything on muddy trails. A regular detroit will push you straight in the mud overiding the steering. Detroits are great for anything but slick muddy trails

So Russian's know best?  I don't follow.

I run a spool in the back and there's no problem with spool overriding the steering.  Detroits are solid and reliable, pretty expensive, and a downright nuiscance with the constant locking/unlocking on the road.  Feels like somebody hitting beneath the tub with a 5lb sledge or worse.

Where you're gonna be wheelin, go with strength and reliability.  Remember KISS.

[chardrc]

from my experience in the mud our lock rights front and rear don't override our turning in mud at all. tires are important throw the new super swamper tsl's on my grandpas jeep can back out in most situations when you get stuck where as after the edges round they don't grip nearly as much. id say both lockers and tires are almost equally important in mud

[jfrabat]

For the tires, I have a couple of buddies that are very happy with their BFG MT's, so I am thinking about going in that direction...  In fact, since I got plenty of thread left over in the 31" HT's, I am thinking about waiting until september and seeing if the MT's KM2 come out in 33 12.50 R15...

On the locker side, I am thinking about OX in the rear and an automatic on the front (to keep cost down).  But the rig will be driven on the street, so that is why I am not doing a spool...  Besides, from what I have read, a spool is harder on the axle than a limited slip, and the D30 is still stock, so I am thinking about something not as hard on the axles as a spool.  (Is this even true, by the way?  I read it online, but what's your experience, Bounty?)

Here in Miami, the Jeep will not see any mud (it's just a daily driver), but in Panama, it will be driven on-road to the trails (a couple of hours worth each way) and in the trails, so it is important that it be reliable...  A lot of people do run Super Swampers and IROKs there, but since it rains A LOT in Panama, I am thinking the extra grip off road may not be worth it if the rig becomes dangerous to drive in the rain...

Felipe

[Bounty Hunter]

My rig's a daily driver with spools front and rear, and before the D44's it was  daily driver on the stock axles with f/r lincoln lockers.  A spool is more streetable than you think.  While not for everybody, it is a viable option for the best in traction and reliability.

I drive my YJ around St. Louis in the rain and snow with no problems out of the spool.  You have to know how to drive it, pretty obvious that too much throttle in a slick curve and you'll quickly be looking at where you just came from.

If you're thinking selectables, check out the electrics that are a limited slip when unlocked.

[jfrabat]

If you're thinking selectables, check out the electrics that are a limited slip when unlocked.

I was looking at the ECTED ones...  Looks interesting.  But I read (I think it was in JP magazine) that they are a bit fragile...  Maybe with the 2.5L it will be enough, though.

[garydubf]

When you put any lockers in your have noticeable driveabilty changes.  Your driving style has to evolve with your jeep.  Even if you put a selectable locker in!  When you engage it it will drive different.  I've seen many guys try to keep driving the same as if they had open diffs. after they put lockers in only to find themselves side ways on the trail or broke down.  When you do put lockers in take some time to re-learn your jeep it'll take less with the right foot and more with grey matter.  Good luck.